Volume 12 Issue 5, May 2016

Fingolimod is approved for the treatment of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), and evidence suggests that it has neuroprotective effects. The recent INFORMS phase III trial in primary progressive MS demonstrated no beneficial effects of fingolimod on disability progression or whole-brain atrophy, but provides important information for future therapeutic development.

A recent longitudinal study indicates that the incidence of new-onset epilepsy has remained stable in children and young adults but has increased in elderly individuals over the past 40 years. Rather than signalling a failure to prevent epilepsy, however, this phenomenon might be attributable to the comorbidities of epilepsy.

The end of 2015 saw the passing of John F. Kurtzke and Richard T. Johnson, two legends in neurology, and founding fathers of neuroepidemiology, neurovirology and neuroimmunology. Here, we pay tribute to these two giants by discussing their impact on the genesis of these profoundly important disciplines.

The characteristic muscle weakness in myasthenia gravis (MG) is caused by antibodies against target molecules the neuromuscular junction. Here, Nils Gilhus and colleagues review how these antibodies and other biomarkers can be used to guide MG subgroup classification and treatment, as well as the best tests to detect these antibodies. Moreover, they discuss how the various antibodies are involved in MG pathogenesis.

In addition to the functional impairments that can arise after stroke, about one-third of stroke survivors experience neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety or apathy. In this Review, Ferro and colleagues provide an update on the diagnosis and pathophysiology of the acute and long-term psychiatric consequences of stroke, and discuss available treatments and management strategies for these stroke-associated disorders.

Nonconvulsive status epilepticus has subtle symptoms and can be difficult to treat, meaning it is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. In this Review, Sutter and colleagues discuss the epidemiology, clinical features and diagnosis of nonconvulsive status epilepticus, and discuss current recommendations for treatment.

The limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMDs) comprise more than 30 genetically defined neuromuscular diseases that share the determining features of weakness and wasting of the pelvic and shoulder girdle muscles. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are continuing to expand the range of genes and phenotypes associated with the LGMDs. In this article, Thompson and Straub review the international collaborations that are addressing translational research issues in the LGMDs, and the lessons learned from large-scale NGS programmes.